j-.'~ ~ Canham to host synchro meet The Michigan synchronized swimming team will host the Big Ten Invitational Sunday at Canham Natatorium. Competing in the meet will be Michigan State, Illinois and Penn State. Figures competition starts at 8 a.m., and routine competition will begin at approximately 11 a.m. This will be the team's last regular season meet before zone competition March 2 at Ohio State. Friday February 9, 1996 9 Micbigan icers can t affiord to lose' By Nicholas J. Cotsonika DailySports Editor eague patsies rarely scare the Michigan hockey m. But if either Notre Dame or Illinois-Chi- cago plays giant-killer this weekend, the Wolver- ines' destiny may not be theirs to determine. "We can't afford to lose," said Michigan coach Red Berenson. "We're still in the hunt for first place. We still have a chance." No. 4 Michigan (16-4-2 CCHA, 21-5-2 over- all) is trying to catch No. 5 Michigan State (20-3- 0, 24-6-0) and No. 9 Western Michigan (16-4-3, 22-6-3). ,The Spartans are in first place with 40 points and the Broncos are in second with 35. The Wolverines only have 34 points, but they have a game in hand on both Michigan State and West- ern Michigan and will play the Spartans two more times. Forthe upcoming Michigan-Michigan State games to determine the CCHA regular season title, however, the Wolverines must win both of MICHIGAN AT PURDUE, TOMORROW, NOON, WEST LAFAYETTE This Avoekend's games Who: Michigan at Notre Dame and Illinois-Chicago When: Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. Where: South Bend and Chicago vs. 3- UC their games this week- end. Michigan plays at Notre Dame Friday at 7 p.m. and at Illinois-Chi- cago Saturday at 7 p.m. "We're still in con- trol," Berenson said. "If we lose one more point, we're out of control." The Wolverines have been in command when they have faced the Fight- ing Irish (5-14-3, 8-17- 3) and Flames (5-16-1, 8-17-3) this season. Michigan obliterated Il- linois-Chicago in the Flames' weekend visit to Yost Ice Arena Jan. 12 and 13, winning 9-3 and 9-1. Notre Dame didn't fare much better, getting blown out 11-1 at Yost on Jan. 20. Past success, or the fact that the Irish are in eighth place and the Flames are tied for 10th, doesn't Above: Maurice Taylor and Michigan hope they won't drop the ball against Purdue twice in one season. Photos by MARK FRIEDMAN/Daily Below: Louis Bullock was floored by the Boilermakers last week. He will try to return the favor in West Lafayette tomorrow. PURDUE $TOMP ON Cagers will attempt to avenge home blowout By Barry Sollenberger Daily Sports Editor At first glance, the Purdue men's basketball team doesn't have much. The Boilermakers don't have a true star. They start only one player taller than 6-foot-7. And they have just one guy who averages more than 10 points per game. But, whoa, can they play. Just ask Michigan coach Steve Fisher. "Purdue is the best team in the league," Fisher said. "They are the best team we've played ... that includes (teams in the preseason), NIT and everybody." The Boilermakers and Wolverines tip off tomorrow at noon in West Lafayette. The game will be broadcast by Creative Sports. Tomorrow marks Round Two between Purdue and Michigan this season. Round One was all Purdue. Back on Jan. 31, the Boilermakers pummeled the Wolverines, 80-59, at Crisler Arena. Michigan has needed the full 10 days to recover from that one. "I think we were embarrassed when we played them here," Fisher said. "That was the first game all year that I looked at and said that we didn't compete. That's not See PURDUE, Page 10 ,. mean anything to Berenson, however. Michigan tied Ohio State twice in the past three weeks, losing.two valuable points to a team that has been in the basement most of the season. "There are no easy games or easy wins in this league," Berenson said. "And you expect games Obt checked closer this time of year." Ate season hits the home stretch, the Wol- verines ry to fine-tune their game and prepare for the playoffs. Miphigan did start to play reasonably well last weekend against Ohio State. But the Wolverines came back from an impressive 7-0 blanking of the Buckeyes with a 2-2 tie, earning only 3 of 4 possible points for the weekend. Wedominated Ohio State (in the tie) more than we 'have any team all year," Berenson said. "We had more scoring chances than we've had all "Their goalie kept the score down, and we made some mistakes, and we tied. We haven't been playing bad, but some little things haven't been in place." One of those has been the power play. Michi- gan is the best team in the CCHA with the extra man - the Wolverines' 28.2 percent is 3.2 per- cent better than the next best team, Miami (Ohio). But Michigan was only 2-of-13 last weekend. "'We have to put the puck in the net when we're Sthe power play," Berenson said. "With Brendan (Morrison) back, that will help. But we've got to do better." Morrison is coming back from a wrist injury that sidelined him for the past two games. His return will help relieve a lineup that has no extra forwards at this time due to injuries. Freshmen Justin Clark and Sean Ritchlin are both out. Clark is rehabilitating a knee problem and is expected to be back within two weeks. ;Ritchlin is out for the season with a thigh jury. i CCHA standings Team (overall record) 1. Michigan State (24-6-0) 2. Western Michigan (22-6-3) 3. Michigan (21-5-2) 4. Lake Superior (20-5-1) 5. Bowling Green (18-11-1) 6. Miami (Ohio) (9-14-3) 7. Alaska-Fairbanks (7-19-1) 8. Notre Dame (8-17-3) 9. Ferris State (7-18-3) 10. Ohio State (5-14-5) 11. Illinois-Chicago (8-17-3) Tonight's games Michigan at Notre Dame Bowling Green at Illinois-Chicago Miami (Ohio) at Lake Superior Michigan St. at Western Michigan Ohio State at Ferris State Waterloo at Alaska-Fairbanks Won 20 16 16 16 12 8 7 5 5 3 5 Lost 3 4 4 5 9 11 18 14 15 14 16 Tied 0 3 2 1 1 3 0 3 3 5 1 Pts. 40 35 34 33 25 19 14 13 13 11 11 THEDUS HAS SnL " Thank you for your patience while we remodeled. Tomorrow's games Bowling Green at Notre Dame Miami (Ohio) at Lake Superior Michigan at Illinois-Chicago Western Michigan at Michigan State Ohio State at Ferris State Waterloo at Alaska-Fairbanks r ' 7 ., n a Your is at NOW HIRING: WAIT STAFF Make up to $8-$16.O0 w/tips DCiAIic" . In n fA t+-r £ A AiQ f q wry. r e .. m